Saturday, September 03, 2011

Elyria (Ohio) Savings and Banking Company, 1903

W.C. LeMaster, cashier
The Elyria Savings and Baking Company


A cursory search of the Internet Archive for Elyria, Ohio turned up the booklet Picturesque Elyria. Her enterprising citizens and her industries, published in 1903 by the Elyria Souvenir Company of Elyria, Ohio.  There, I located the advertisement for the bank where my paternal great-granduncle, William Clifford LeMASTER, was the head cashier.




What a great find to locate a photograph of my relative during this time period.  As I've discovered in other searches, he was a city councilman, quite a bowler, and later went west to Colorado.

1893-94 Directory Finds : Madison County, Indiana

Spent the early part of today researching Knight & Co.'s Elwood, Alexandria, In and Madison County Biennial Directory, 1893-1894 as found online at Internet Archive.  I was able to add some occupational and residency data to my Rootsmagic database.


Found information regarding the following families: Cochran, King, Lyst, Shaw, Sigler and Snively and added their residency and occupational information to my database.


In the town of Elwood, I found Dr. Daniel SIGLER listed as the President of the local board of education.  His residence was at 305 South Anderson Street.  He was also listed as the President of the Elwood Natural Gas and Oil Company, which had offices at 513 South Anderson.  Daniel was the husband of my maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Minerva PIERCE.   His son Bert V, was also listed in the directory, though I have his death occurring December 20, 1892 in Elwood.


Also in Elwood, I found John LYST, listed as a brick contractor, residence and business both at 2021 Main Street.  John was the husband of my maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Sarah Wilson LAMBERTSON.  


Also in Elwood, I found Henry H. SNIVELY, seller of drugs, watches, clocks, jewelry and musical instruments, business at 112 South Anderson, residence at  1415 South E. Street.  Henry was a maternal 1st cousin 4 times removed, the son of Samuel and Mary S. (LAMBERTSON) SNIVELY.


The town of Frankton held several relatives of the King family, including a curious listing for Elizabeth KING, widow.  I believe this refers to my maternal 3rd-great grandmother, Elizabeth (SHAW) KING, widow of Daniel.  However, by the time of this directory she had been married for several years to William COCHRAN, also listed in the directory as a carpenter living in Frankton.  Perhaps there is another Elizabeth, or they were still references to her as the "widow" King long after her remarriage.


Also in Frankton, I found David KING, listed as a drayman; Benjamin KING, listed as a carpenter; and Frank M. KING, also listed as a carpenter.  These were ones I could identify as relatives.


I'm enjoying exploring the works digitized in the Internet Archive and hope to find more mentions of my relatives.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Research Updates: August 29, 2011

I was able to spend a few hours yesterday at the Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana and do some research.  This is a great regional library, with a lot of sources that extend outside of their geographic area.  While my main focus was on the the robbery of the New Harmony bank in 1925, I also located information relating to Eileen's and Corinne's lines.



  • Searched additional editions of the Evansville Journal from March 1925, looking for additional information on the robbery in New Harmony that Harry Pierpont's gang was involved with.  Did not find anything other than what the library had already provided.
  • Found information in abstracts of Tagliche Evansville Union 1865-1885 that included information regarding the Sauer, Ritt, Damm, and Schafer lines.  Once I determine how they are related to Corinne's lines, will request copies of the actual newspaper items.  All of which are published in German script!
  • Located record of abstracts of Warrick County, Indiana Will Book I 1831-1859 and Will Book II Feb. 1860-June 1885.  In this work, located Corinne's ancestor Thomas McCool.  Will now be able to request the copy of his will filled April 23, 1869.
  • Located the Divorce Record Index 1818-1941 Vanderburgh County Indiana and located several of Corinne's ancestors and relatives, some of whom had filed multiple times, including the Miller, Chivlare and Sauer families. Now there's a story there!
  • Found published Ledger of Civil War Appointments & Discharges from the Recorders Office of Wabash County, Indiana which had information about Eileen's ancestor, Thomas PEFLEY.  Nice find in a library over 200 miles from home.
  • Made copies from Lagro Township Cemeteries Wabash County Indiana for records of Eileen's Duffey, Lewis, Sills & Pefley ancestors.
For just a few hours of research, it turned out to be a very productive day in a really nice, historic library.  If you ever have an opportunity to research there, I would highly recommend it.